: H[ MINISTER'S DR[ 




OR, 



A WRONG CHOICE WITH A SAD RESULT 

YET WITHAL 

A GLORIOUS CONSUMMATION, 



BY \J 

{Author of " Get lVisdo?n," Etc.) 



A TEMPERANCE POEM. 



New IvEbanon, Ohio: 

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR. 



TH[ MINISTER'S DREl: 



OR, 



A WRONG CHOICE WITH A SAD RESULT, 

YET WITHAL 

A GLORIOUS CONSUMMATION. 



(Attthor of " Get Wisdom,'' Etc.) 






A TEMPERANCE POEM. 



New lyEBANON, Ohio: 

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR. 
1889. 



Copyrijiht, 1889, 

BY 

John Calvin Bright. 



DEDICATED 

To Parents, who have gone to the Good Home, 
Who early taught me Alcohol to shun. 

To Children, hoping, that its pois'nous foam 
Will never stain their lips; that they will run 
The Christian Race until the Crown is won. 

To Her— MY Temperate, Devoted Wife— 
God's greatest gift to man beneath the Sun, 
To help him in the world's ignoble strife; 
To gently lead the loved ones to Eternal Ufe. 

Respectfully, 

BY THE AUTHOR. 

JSfew Lebanon, Ohio, Sept. ?, i88g. 



THE MINISTER'S DREAM. 



"I can confide in him," she said, " I know" — 
These words were scarcely spoken when he came, 

And, in the deep'ning twilight near, bowed low, 
Beneath the cedar's shade, and prayed the same, 
That Jesus taught his people in his name. 

I bid Doretha join in with him now. — 

They rose, caressed, and then, shame, shame ! 

A friend drew near, and with a pleasing bow. 

Invited Ben to with him go and break his vow. 

How anxious was the look Doretha wore! 

And Ben, stanch pale became his lusty cheek ! 
How kindly did she ask him, and implore 

The bowl, enchanted, not again to seek ! 

I, then a word to him, too, did bespeak ; 
Portrayed to him the danger there would be. 

In going with his friend, he was too weak 

To drive away temptation, drink would he; 

Then, 0, what grief and woe his lovely wife would 

see I 

5 



His friend said, "We will only take a glass, 

But drink each other's health, and then desist. 
This is what the priests do, in taking mass. 

And, certainly, you need not this resist." 

The sad result Doretha too well wist. 
So lovingly her arms she did entwine 

Around him ; then his loving lips she kissed. 
And said in sweetest accents, "You are mine, 
O don't to want and woe your loved ones consign." 

The tempter, with a sneering look, passed on; 

They turned to heed a dear one's earnest call. 
That echoed through the door which was just drawn, 

When Ben but gave one glance toward the Hall 

Of mirth, that stood next door, outside the wall, 
Resounding now with noisy merriment; 

Whose spacious room was filled by patrons all ; 
Whose music, to the place, a sweet charm lent ; 
Whose liquors quaffed, the circumambient air did 
scent. 

That look, those fumes, were more than he could bear; 

Aroused his thirst for Alcohol became ; 
And, tearing from the arms of love, he, where 

The fiery fluid that would him inflame 

Obtained could be, regardless of the shame. 
Doretha, how great and deep the gloom 

That settled on her face ! " It is the same 
Old foe ! God ! it will us all consume ! " 
With trembling steps she swooned, and fell within 
the room. 



With hurried steps, I hastened home to send 

Assistance to the broken-hearted one, 
Remarking as I sped, " what an end, 

The most degenerate beneath the sun, 

The end is shame, in artlessness begun. 
Whoever thought that he would lead that life ? 

Whoever thought that such a course he'd run ? 
Go down in shame in such ignoble strife. 
Destroy himself, and such a lovely charming wife I " 

I took a retrospective view of Ben, 

With confidence, I saw him leave the farm, 

With parents, all, in deep aflfection, then. 
Invoking God's protection from all harm 
To keep him. He, without the least alarm, 

Went forth to learn a useful, honest trade. 
Determined to excel and lend a charm 

To labor and economy, and aid 

The indigent, and put dishonor in the shade. 

Ben for his trade had quite an aptitude ; 

As industry and tact do always win. 
Success to him, they both were a prelude ; 

Among the artisans there have few been 

As skillful as our hero was herein. 
But, then, sad the stories of the race ! 

How many have destroyed themselves by sin ! 
How many, with these facts before their face, 
Go on their way to shame, themselves and friends, 
disgrace ! 



THE minister's DREAM. 



9 Across the way from where he wrought is there 
A Hall of mirth, Saloon — socalled — but, no ; 

It is the way to darkness and despair, 

The way that leads to drunkenness and woe, 
In which great numbers are enticed to go ; 

It is the way that leads away from home, 
The way that leads down to the Pit below. 

The way in which it is not sate to roam, 

That leads where teeth will gnash, and writhing lips 
will foam. 

10 The Hall was most inviting; cushioned chairs, 

The sparkling, flowing fountains, curtains gauze, 
Sweet warbling songsters, silver-polished wares. 

The rarest, prettiest flowers, loud huzzas ; 

But then, ye nations hearken, by the laws 
Protected, is this living, damning snare ! 

To raise the funds to punish them the cause! 
Destroy and punish thus, the brave, the fair? 
Ye slumbering nations, fear your God, his people 
spare ! 

11 Ben had been taught that it was manly, safe, 

To drink with moderation, from a youth 
And when vexations did his spirit chafe. 

Or when he met a friend, or friends, forsooth ; 

Then he, with boldness, sought this pretty booth 
Of pleasure. Grew the habit, and he fell. 

And when he knew his trade, he had, in truth, 
Obtained a living, burning taste, as well. 
For Alcohol. The sad result, how can I tell! 



12 Beyond the hills there dwelt a lovely maid,— 

Doretha— full of life, intelliorent ; 
The idol of the home, in whom was laid. 

By parents fond, 'twas plainly evident, 

The love of life and toil; in joy 'twas spent. 
She loved, but, ah, not wisely; Ben came oft; 

Their happy souls in sweet communion blent. 
With courtesy he bore himself aloft, 
Save this, he drank ; with heedlessness all harm she 
scoffed. 

13 ''My love for him, his love for me, will guide 

Us safely down the stream of time," she said. 
" Together, we, adown this stream will glide 
In happiness," with earnestness, she plead, 
"0 parents dear if you will let us wed ! " 
They would not give consent for a long time, 

For fear that she the bitter tear might shed ; 
Though drunkenness his only taint or crime. 
They knew 'twas worse in life than could be shown in 
rhyme. 

14 Ben pledged his word and honor, that no more 

The bowl intoxicating would he use; 
Consent by this they gained, the danger o'er, 

How could they such a manly vow refuse? 

The day was set, the happy day they choose. 
That each, the vow^s of love the other gave; 

And, when I one pronounced them, I did muse, 
"Can she him from the shameful gutter save. 
Or will he drag her in despair down to the grave?" 



10 THE minister's DREAM. 



16 The days sped happily, and joys were deep, 
Each, in the other, had implicit trust; 

No danger near, she had no cause to weep. 
Until it dawned upon her mind, that lust 
Of drink would him destroy. O cruel thrust! 

First, later grew the hour of his return. 

Then redder grew his cheek and somewhat mussed 

His dress, and then quite oft his words would burn 

With a queer accent. Deep and anxious her con- 
cern ! 

16 With songs mof>t captivating, rapturous; 

With manners winning, gentle, and refined; 
With speech intelligent, and rhapsodous; 

With all the arts of a most fertile mind, 

She sought to save him from that bestial kind 
Of life; but all to no avail. For drink 

Would he. His love for liquor made him blind 
To all the nobler instincts. On the brink 
Of ruin was he idling, and beneath, would sink. 

17 His steps became unstead}^, then the storm, 

That long had threatened, burst at midnight's hour. 
Some friends bore home, with care, his manly form, 

Return, he could not from that pretty bow'r 

Of pleasure. Thus, instead of a strong tow'r 
Of faith, of hope, of peace, of love, of joy. 

Became he as the threatening storm that low'r 
Destruction. For all things would he destroy. 
That precious were to her, that would her peace an- 
noy. 



THE minister's DREAM. 11 



18 Not only did he take God's name in vain, 

Not only did he break the earthen ware, 
Not only did the Holy Day profane, 

Not only did the paper hangings tear; 

But also precious gifts were safe nowhere. 
The set the mother gave on moving day. 

The looking-glass, the handsome rocking chair, 
Certificate of Marriage, in which they 
Recorded had their vows; all these he dashed away. 

19 Doretha's anguish, unavailing, sore. 

How sad to contrast with the home of love, 
She had the full possession of before, 

She came to this with him she loved above 

All others, inoffensive as a dove! 
For now, when wrapt in Alcohol's strong coils. 

Aside his loved Doretha would he shove; 
Na}^ more, his murderous attempts she foils 
By presence of her mind, by the severest toils. 

20 Repentance, the most bitter, followed it, 

With shame and penitence, he pardon sought, 
Made solemn, earnest promises to quit 

Attending places where such mischief's wrought^ 

Whose influence for sin is ever fraught. 
Doretha with great readiness forgot 

The cruel treatment she received and thought 
That theirs henceforth would be a happy lot. 
How sad her fate, her Ben became a perfect sot! 



12 THE minister's DREAM. 



21 Thus oft was reason from his mind dethroned, 

Thus oft the sad to-morrows came and went; 
Until a gracious gift to them was loaned, 

The Hand Divine to them the blessing sent; 

So like his father, happily were blent 
The softer graces of the mother. Pure 

As snow that is fresh fallen. Merriment 
Did friends all make. She said, " He'll now be sure 
To love his home. Naught from his son will him 
allure " 

22 Great was the joy and pride of father Ben, 

When he at first beheld his little son ; 
And meditating on his course, with pen. 

He signed the Pledge, declaring that no one 

Would him entice from Temperance; that none 
As beverages would he use: yet slow 

Was he to move away from there, and shun 
Their presence as the deadly coya, though 
Friends had him thus advised, he said, "I need 
not go." 

23 " I need not go, for here is all my work. 

I need not go," he said with courtesy. 
"I need not go, though dangers round me lurk, 

I will not by them drawn from virtue be, 

Relying on Divine assistance, He 
Will succor me " Alas he did not know, 

The weakness of his fallen nature, the 
Great strength of alcoholic habit. 
What danger was he in, could he escape the woe ! 



THE minister's DREAM. 13 



24 For some long weeks when from his labor free, 

Ben would be found attending to his dears; 
And happy in their love and company, 

He sought no more th' enticing chalice. Fears 

Gave way to hope and confidence, and tears 
To joy and happiness. And then, as I, 

Returning from a tour passed by, appears 
Doretha, smiling in her gladness. " Why, 
I can confide in him, no more I'll sigh !" 

25 Congratulating her, I still advised. 

That they would better from away there go; 
Lest he would fall whom she so highly prized, 

She said, "I can confide in him, I know.'* 

She had great confidence in him, although 
Entreated she, at first, that they would move 

Away, that he would not be tempted so. 
For when, unfortunately, in the groove 
By liquor made, all efforts may most futile prove. 

26 Her confidence the stronger grew, as went 

The days, and Ben retained his soberness ; 
But when the liquors quafied the air did scent, 

Then all the fibers of his body, yes, 

1 he smallest cells, each claimed its favorite mess; 
And when the well directed glance upon 

The flowing soblets did itself address ; 
(The air was sultry, and the curtains drawn, 
He throujih the window t-aw the lusty patrons fawn.) 



14 THE minister's DREAM. 



27 'Twas then, resistance to his appetite 

Was vain. The solemn, earnest, written Pledge, 
The love of home and friends, were far too light 

To hold him. Naught was there that would him 
hedge, 

And alcoholic habit was the wedge. 
That separated him from them. The wife 

Was found, by those who came, too near the edge 
Of time. Kind hands restored her back to life 
And consciousness. But she aweary was of strife. 

28 The agitated frame, the labored breath, 

The incoherent words, the vacant stare ; 
All told too plainly, that, at hand, was Death, 

Who would her soon release, and take her where 

The sorrows of this life will follow ne'er. 
Just then, the pistol's sharp report, the cry 

Of murder rang upon the midnight air. 
Doretha gave one long and farewell sigh. 
And then passed over to her home beyond the sky. 

29 And, well it was, perchance, that she could go. 

For Ben, when crazed with Alcohol, had slain 
His friend, who downward led him into woe. 

The testimony, an unbroken chain. 

To escape the gallows, 'twas no use to train. 
His friends all gone, and then his means were too. 

Remorse and shame alone for him remain. 
Pronounced the sentence, he, with warnings, true. 
Emphatic, gave to all a long, a sad adieu. 



THE minister's DREAM. 15 

30 And little Ben, whose coming promised much, 

Was taken by the arms affectionate, 
To that good home, there are too few of such, 

From which Doretha came. That singular trait, 

Which caused such anxiousness, became of late, 
A fit, like that his father had when he 

Came home, intoxicated first. Sad fate I 
Grandmother, worried to the grave, said she, 
" I'll teach the world that they no more such sorrow 
see." 

31 Observing the sad fate of her friends, dear. 

Concluded she to issue an address, 
Portray, with words emphatic, strong, and clear. 

To all the fair, in single blessedness. 

The danger of accepting love unless 
From alcoholic habit free. " Fair friends. 

Why leave the home of love and fond caress. 
Where parents' tender care with nicety blends 
With brothers, sisters. What for these can make 
amends ? 

32 " Can you afford to leave all these, for one 

Who, in his mouth, invites a thief to steal 
Away his reason and affection ? Run 

The race alone, than rather your life seal 

To him who'll bring you woe instead of weal. 
Consider the sad end Doretha met, 

How you approaching midnight's hour will feel, 
Not knowing his return, or how he'll fret. 
Yourselves in such predicament, do not let ! " 



16 THE minister's DREAM. 



33 They answered then, "We never will consent 

To give our hearts and hands to those who take 
Their food in alcoholic form." Content 

With the result, decided she, to break 

The news, that all their evil ways forsake. 
'Twas done; and when she looked again, behold, 

They went their way, the same, did not awake 
To their great danger, that she had them told, 
Accepted them with alcoholic habit bold. 

34 She then determine* 1 to address herself, 

(Ob?erving that the fairer sex would yield. 
Through blandishments their liberty would shelf) 

To man the sterner sex ; ask him to shield 

The race from shame and sorrow. When appealed 
To thus, he answered her beneath the eaves, 

He answered her upon the open field, 
He answered her, "Lefs save the golden sheaves," 
And yet, quite oft, he answered her behind his 
sleeves. 

35 And when she saw that it was not decreased, 

She pondered deep and long, and then resolved, 
To ask the Nation, next, to have released, — 

Her citizens from slavery absolved. 

How great the duty that on her devolved ! 
Relying on the help of Providence, 

Concluded she that it should not be halved ; 
That it should be complete in every sense. 
The Nation ftee, and all enjoy a competence. 



THE minister's DREAM 17 



36 Proceeding to the Legislative Halls, 

Both State and National, accompanied 
By little raving Ben, whose frightful squalls, 

Demoniac dark face, unsteady tread. 

And murderous attempts of her who led, 
That failed, because he was so impotent; 

Illustrated the cause for which she plead 
With earnestness, with words so eloquent, 
Her mission seemed to all as though 'twere heaven 
sent. 

37 And thus she spoke, " Behold how sad my state! 

My only daughter gave her hand and heart 
To one who loved the drug, that made him hate 

His home, his friends, his God. And thus they 
part, 

As they on life's great journey made a start : 
He fell and filled a drunkard felon's grave. 

She died My anguish sore, as though a dart 
Had pierced my soul. As a return he gave 
This living manifest of what did him enslave 

38 "And I am not alone. I represent 

Ten thousand times ten thousand homes you know, 
That mourn for loved ones lost, destroyed. Comment 

Unnecessary is. O save from woe 

The children of our nation, be not slow 
To stop this trade that leads to endless night, 

All those that make and use it here below ; 
Not on the principle that might makes right. 
But on the grander one, that right will give it might ! 



18 THE minister's DREAM. 



39 " Why should the blessings God has given be changed 

To curses, which destroy so many lives? 
Why not, ye Solons, have it so arranged, 

That all enjoy a competence ; the wives 

Their husbands' steps will dread, no more, revives 
The memory of happy days gone by ? 

d break the cruel bondage from which thrives 
The heartless few, from which so many die ! " 
They said, with dignity and courtesy, '^ We'll try." 

40 And next the palaces Executive 

She visited, and plead the cause of peace. 
" The Legislators soon this cause will give 

Attention, try to rescue, and release 

The many homes, the heartless few would fleece ; 
Destroy their characters, their inmates kill. 

O lend your influence, that this work cease, 
Encourage, foster, execute the Bill, 
To stop this traffic with men's souls ! " They said, 
"We will." 

41 And then the Courts of Justice she addressed. 

Encouraged by the hope that thrilled her soul, 
"Among the nations, it has been confessed. 

Of all the courts, there's none upon the roll, • 

That of the cause of justice has control. 
As ours, the Great Republic of the West. 

And still we should not yet ourselves cajole. 
Unless the liquor. Alcohol, we will, at best. 
Exile it from the land, its mad career arrest. 



THE minister's DREAM. 19 



42 "The laws that, free us from this curse will soon 

Be given to the people of these States, 
And then the funds of every saloon 

Will contribute to that cause, which belates 

Its friends, deranges all of them, and hates 
Its votaries. Here millions can you share. 

If you the cause assist that crime creates. 
Stain not your ermine. Ne'er the laws declare 
Unconstitutional and void." They answered, "Ne'er." 

43 She was returning to her broken home. 

Encouraged by the prospects, thus assured. 
When, lo, old Bacchus came, how he did foam ! 

(The plan, so pertinent, was just matured) 

And with him came Intoxicant, allured, 
And Moderato, both these goddesses 

Allured to the great conquest. "For secured 
Man will to give me service be." So says. 
Old Bacchus, agitated so, he lost his fez. 

44 '• You shall not conquer. Free shall be our land. 

For millions have you conquered and destroyed. 
The principles of Temperance so grand. 

So philosophical, of self-devoid, 

Shall triumph. None henceforth shall be decoyed." 
Warm waxed the controversy, loud declaimed 

Their godships; but not in the least annoyed, 
Good Mother True, abashed not nor ashamed, 
Portrayed their great deception, thus, in terms, well 
framed. 



20 THE minister's DREAM. 



45 Warm grew the controversy, large the crowd, 

That gathered there to hear the great debate, 
Between an injured woman and gods proud. 

The latter, dubious arguments create, 

The former, wrongs of Alcohol relate, 
And pleads the cause of home, of peace, and light. 

Of principles that our race elevate; 
And then portrays, in colors black as night, 
The sins which Alcohol, its votaries incite. 

46 The interest becoming manifest, 

Concluded they, an ecumenical, 
Debate and counsel hold, to which the rest 

Of our great nation kindly asked shall 

Be to attend ; and whether animal, 
Degrading, and destructive to the race 

Is Alcohol ; or whether nominal, 
Alone, it has these terms : " Does it deface 
And ruin ? Honor and infirmities erase ?" 

47 Then Morse and Bell and Guttenberg all called, 

The people heard entranced and soon were brought, 
By Watts and Reobling and Fulton hauled, 

To that great Amphitheater, where taught, 

The Patron of the home, and gods who thought. 
With Alcohol's strong coils, to bind the man. 

How great the crowds, for sixty millions caught 
The spirit of the inquiry ! Each clan, 
The high, the low, came there to help the matter 
scan. 



THE minister's DREAM. 21 

48 The proclamation, first, was made, that each 

Should take the part assigned, appropriate. 
Agreed had they to thus arrange, and teach 

The nation, congregated thus in state; 

All showing, by their company, their trait. 
There were three companies. First, Mother True's, 

Who nought would drink that would intoxicate. 
Then, Moderate's, ol more liberal views. 
And then. Intoxicant's, who drank all that they choose. 

49 The First were open, candid, and serene. 

No afiectation crossed their happy brows. 
Bright plenty gave them pastures ever green, 

Inviolate they kept their noble vows. 

Desirous were they that all should espouse 
The principles of light, of hope, of joy, 

That never in them appetites arouse 
That would them cause their friends or homes de- 
stroy, — 
The principles of peace without the least alloy. 

50 The Second : how abashed so many looked ! 

For there, shame, some ministers were seen ; 
In that unholy crowd, their names were booked, 

With those who'd appetites they could not wean, 

And those who aped their words as well as mien ; 
Though strange, yet true, they all their course had 
turned 

To after go those they pronounced unclean. 
The high, the low, the great, the small, the learned. 
Were there. Some were abashed, too many uncon- 
cerned. 



22 THE minister's dream. 



51 That they to Moderate still belonged, 

So many, in the Third class loudly claimed ; 
But then, no one, in all that crowd, was wronged, 

Because the high, the low, the sound, the maimed, 

Were placed in those three companies we named, 
In full accord with their own sentiments. 

Of this, the two had cause to be ashamed. 
It robbed them of their pelf, destroyed their sense. 
While some grew rich, so many had no competence. 

52 The families, were happy, of the First. 

Those of the Second manifested care, 
Anxiety, and dread ; that yet the worst 

Would come, that Alcohol would yet ensnare 

Their fathers, brothers. Utter deep despair 
Had worn deep furrows in the cheek and brow 

Of those, whose loved ones often would declare 
Their love for inebriety. how 

Unhappy were their fears, but hope came to them 
now. 

53 By mutual consent, it was arranged 

That leaders, followers, all have a chance 
The issue to discuss. Then those who changed 
Their sentiments should the great work enhance, 
By changing companies, as in romance. 
Proclaimed they further, that all that will speak, 
' Must speak their sentiments in consonance, 

With their belief and wishes. Then we'll seek 
The wish of the assembly — see how strong or weak. 



THE minister's DREAM. 23 



64 The goddess Moderate, bold and fair, 

In whom, deception, you could see no trace, 

Addressed the multitude. "Let us declare, 
That we will use the food which will us brace 
For toil, protect us from disease, and chase 

The woes of life away. Let us be free 

To use the blessings God has given, in grace. 

Of course, we'll temperate in all things be, 

Our moderation, known to all men, shall all see." 

55 Her words were answered by a hearty cheer, 

Of many who belonged to her large crowd, 
When to our great astonishment, a jeer 

That drowned the other came so clear, so loud, 

From company. Intoxicant's, "The shroud 
Of drunkards will we wear, because, that we 

Those principles accepted, and were proud 
Of freedom. Now, alas, you all can see, 
To what we're brought, and what your own sad^end 
may be. 

56 '"Twas thus that you enticed us and ere long, 

So grew and grew the habit that we said, 
' How great our freedom ! ' It became so strong, 

That ere we were aware, you had us led. 

Where paths were slick, unsteady was our tread. 
This is the reason that there are such throngs 

In woe. The why so many want their bread. 
The why that in our homes there are no songs 
Of praise to Him, Who feeds, to whom all praise 
belongs. 



24 THE minister's dream. 



57 " We're wrapped in Alcohol's strong coils, we're slaves; 

Just late, we were of your proud company, 
Your course is hither turned, from which none saves. 

warning take and really be free ! " 

Thus loudly spoke the great majority 
Of company Intoxicant's. The few, 

The heartless few, who make and sell with glee, 
That which enriches them, al,one, could view. 
Without remorse or shame, results so sad and true. 

58 These scarce had made their earnest protest known, 

When there arose their families, in want, 
" Those principles, accepted, were, we own. 

With shame, by fathers, brothers, sons. taunt 

Us not because of garments torn, that flaunt 
In every breeze, of hovels small and rude, 

Nor yet, because, oft hunger does us haunt! 
'Tis those who make and sell it, eat our food. 
They wear our clothes. Of dwellings, they do us 
denude. 

59 "Not only through saloons, should none be led ; 

Not only should distilleries be still ; 
Not only breweries no more be fed ; 

But also, those who make and sell should fill 

Our starving mouths, and empty hands, until 
The bloom of health returns ; our wardrobes bless ; 

And give us back our homes; and then we will 
The year of jubilee enjoy. Redress 
God, our wrongs and grant that all their rights 
possess ! " 



THE minister's DREAM. 25 



y 



60 And then, arose, such loud, such thrilling cries, 

From the demented ones. How sad their moans! 
And list'ning carefully to their strange sighs, 

And reading, as they s^ay, between the groans, 

I understood as follows : "0 that thrones 
And pow'rs would give us all some kind relief. 

'Tis sad to think of starving ones with tones 
Of supplication ; and of those whose chief 
Desire is that they may escape the drunkards' reef. 

61 "But sadder still is our unhappy plight, 

For reason is dethroned. That hateful drug 
Which promised much, did all our powers blight. 

The contents of the little dark brown jug, 

Of sparkling fountains in saloons, so snug. 
Have ru'ned, impoverished, and make us mad. 

Our stories would the stoutest shoulders shrug. 
Once we, intelligent and free and glad, 
But now, alas, our lot's the saddest of the sad. 

62 " Some of us drank our gold and sense away, 

And some, by such, were treated worse than slaves, 
While some, again, like little Ben, can't say. 

Why o'er them rolls such dark and dreadful waves 

Of trouble. Must we thus go to our graves ? 
'Tis Alcohol that robs, dements, and kills. 

Brand all who manufacture it as knaves. 
Convert their buildings into homes and mills. 
Let all aslake their thrist at wells or running rills." 



26 THE minister's dream. 



63 When these had finished, those who make and sell 

Besought Intoxicant their cause to plead, 
(With imprecations, such, I would not tell, 

Like those that of that class are never freed.) 

For fear their craft would go they well had need. 
Though ever ready, faults to find and pick, 

She could not but the warning given heed, 
The liquor drank to help, but made her sick, 
She rose to speak, but all that she could say was — hid 

64 Then boasting Moderato spoke again, 

"Not all of mine go down in drunkenness, 
There many, just as free and pure as when. 

They never tasted it. The world they bless 

By great inventions, works that all express 
High admiration for. Shall not all these 

To alcoholic food e'er have access ? 
Besides the arts es.^ential will soon freeze 
If in applying, we can't use it when we please." 

65 All eyes now turned, by mutual consent, 

To see and hear good Mother True's reply. 
"My Friends admit, that dangers imminent. 

That all who drink too much and drunkards die, 

Were once of Moderato's class so high. 
So soon they pass her hand and graduate, 

And then Intoxicant, her chief ally. 
With smiles invites them enter through her gate. 
They see their wrong, repent, when 'tis perchance too 
late. 



THE minister's DREAM. 27 



66 " Intoxicated, sure,we will admit, 

That many, who have ventured to partake 
Of alcoholic stimulant, have wit 

To not become. But then, awake. 

Their works of thought and worth they did not 
make 
By alcoholic help. The product are 

They of the sober thoughts, of what we take 
From hygienic food ; not from afar. 
Of this there need, there cannot be a single jar. 

67 " It is not food The tissues it impairs, 

Defiles the conscience, and injures the will. 
The memory it weakens, judgments scares, 

Takes from the head its wisdom, hands their skilL 

It robs too of affection, helps to kill 
The loved ones of the home, the neighborhood. 

The history of all its crimes would fill 
The Universe. Too little understood 
Are all the various sins, it helps to rear and brood. 

68 " The murderer's swift blow, the thief's deft hand, 

The dens of lewo debauchery so dire, 
The smiles and words of rogues, politely bland. 

Are moved all by this alcholic fire. 

(Who doubts will find the proof if he inquire.) 
A fire that gives no heat in frigid climes, 

A fire that gives no strength when labors tire — 
That burns the fuse to where explode the crimes, 
That robs a man of honor as well as of dimes. 



28 THE minister's dream. 



69 " 'It quenches thirst?' No, no, it causes thirst, 

A thirst that strong and stronger grows each time 

A draught is drank, from first to last is nurst. 
This property it has in every clime, 
Defaces those who drink, their clothes begrime. 

The bloated countenance, the bloodshot eye, 
The crooked path, the wallowing in slime, 

Teach us our wants it does not satisfy. 

To banish it from our great land, let us try ! 



70 " To those who ne'er will drink to an excess, 

I, now, address myself, especially, 
Perchance it e'er may be as you profess, 

Though still it may be to the contrary, 

For many have done this in brevity ; 
But granting for the sake of argument, 

That you will not this inconsistency 
Experience, can you not be content 
To be for others' sake forever abstinent ? 

71 "As you, in using, get no warmth, no strength, 

That lasting is, or of a benefit ; 
Why dilly-dally with it any length 

Of time? Why not at once conclude to quit 

Its use? I know, kind friends, you have the grit. 
Besides for naught, it takes away your wealth, 

And others you are leading to the Pit, 
For Moderato, noted for her stealth, 
To you, will others point, — your character, your 
health. 



THE minister's DREAM. 29 



72 " 'Tis such as you to which she always points, 

Whose influence she would have crowds to lead; 
'Tis done too well, the work, she thus anoints. 

To warnings given they will not take heed. 
. They say of warnings, that they have no need. 
They look to you, and ere they are aware. 

They're led to do what causes hearts to bleed ; 
They down are led to deep and dark despair, 
Can you, I ask respectfully, in such work share ? '' 

73 " 'Your moderation known to all men let,' 

The views of elder Father Ben were such, 
'Include in this whatever you can get. 

All you should heed is, 'Do not take too much,' 

God's gifts you need not be afraid to touch.' 
The younger Ben had learned this 'neath the roof 

Parental. Soon was he in the strong clutch 
Of Alcohol. He could not get aloof. 
He spent his all, from dining board, to traveling 
hoof. 

74 "Two times as much for Alcohol are spent, 

As are for bread and education. And 
One hundred thousand lives each year, anent, 

Destroyed are in its Maelstrom. 0, the grand. 

Grand thought is, that we all with heart and hand 
Unite to save our loved ones from the gloom 

Of drunkards ; that in principle our land 
Shall be forever free. No more the tomb 
Of inebriety have cause to seek a room." 



30 



75 The First : " We ever will be free," say they, 

The Second class : "We can be if we will." 

The Third : " We will be if we can," they say. 

" Let us decree," says Mother True, " Until 

A QUARTER OF A CENTURY's FULFILL 

Its course, we'll manufacture nor import 
No more of Alcohol. Apply with skill 
All that we have as medicine, or sport 
With fine arts' use, whoever otherwise may court." 

76 "The Legislature, Courts, Executive, — 

Here are the Branches of our Government, 
All ready, this decree, our land to give ; 

And here are they by whom they all are sent. 

What we decree is law, is evident. 
And then we'll add. Department of the Home, 

Place o'er it those who ne'er will give consent 
To hinder this decree. Then all can roam 
In fine arts' use, mechanic arts, arts of the loam." 

77 "Amen!" resounded through the waiting crowd, 

And then to Mother True's there was a rush. 
To join her standard, all seemed to be proud. 

The spirits that such havoc wrought, to crush. 

They wore upon their brows the victor's flush. 
All joined her standard save the heartless few, 

Who make and sell it, too. They wore the blush 
Of unrepentant guilt ; With them were too 
The debauchee, the punkt. All to their masters 
true. 



THE minister's DREAM. 31 



78 'Twas carried b}' such acclamation strong, 

The negative confounded were and dumb. 
The question now arose. " To whom belong 

The labors of the Home Department ?" Some 

Suggested one, some others. Like a bomb 
One said more naturally, " Mother True! 

Beneath her hand the evil will succumb. 
To help her in the work appoint those who 
Like her have seen the worst, like her the work will 
do." 

79 'Twas done. " Praise God from whom all blessings 

flow," 

They sang, 'Traise him to whom all praise belongs." 
" Praise him all living creatures here below." 

" Praise him above ye holy happy throngs." 

And thus they sang appropriate glad songs. 
Then lighted Delos, Pheobus, Edison, 

Them to their happy, distant homes. The wrongs, 
So long perpetuated, now were done. 
Henceforth each could his course through life with 
safety run. 

80 Good Mother True showed her ability 

In perfecting what was so well begun. 
She ordered buildings, large sufficiently, 

To stocked be with the Alcohol. This done 

The other buildings were converted. One, 
To manufacture, one to hospital, 

And one to worship Him who made the sun. 
And all to purposes that lift up shall 
The race in bright reality, not nominal. 



32 



81 Then those who made and sold were ordered next, 

To give to those they robbed, a large per cent 
Of their ill gotten gains. And this bold text 

Fulfilled was to the letter. For she bent 

Her energies to free the land. She meant 
That Alcohol throughout our land, no more. 

Should spread its want, its woe, and discontent ; 
Our nation high above such things shall soar; 
No more such wretchedness, no more the sufi'ring 
poor. 

82 The progress was so rapid, thorough, grand, 

Effects surpassing the most sanguine hope; 
That soon the people, all with helping hand. 

Gave to the law its widest legal scope; 

Save those, the heartless few, and they elope 
Had either or the law in full accept, 

With its provisions, all, as stated. Mope 
They dared not. For our Matron was adept 
In bringing happiness to those who long had wept. 

83 How great, how marvelous the happy change ! 

No language could it nearly all express, 
When food within true hygienic range, 

Alone the nation, only, used ; unless. 

Kind Heaven would the Muses's pencil bless. 
Far, far above its usual competence. 

How truly great the nation's blessedness ! 
No more, Saloons to rob men of their sense. 
No more, the heartless few, to rob them of their 
rents. 



THE minister's DREAM. gg 



84 Sweet songs of praise arose each morn and eve, 

From all the families, their hearths around. ' 
They feared, no more, the father would them leave. 

With peace and plenty all their homes were crowned. 

The courts upon their dockets, rarely found 
A case. The jails and penitentiaries. 

Asylums and alms-houses, all, were bound 
To works of art. No more deformed the phiz. 
Its features all deline what Temperence truly is. 

85 No more were any troubled with ennui, 

No more were passions stirred beyond control. 
No more the>retched, starving poor we see. 

No more the Anarchist's foreboding Sh'ol, 

But with the sweetest pleasures, thrill the soul. 
The lawyers, judges having no employ, 

Espoused;the Kingdom that is said to roll, 
Until the nations, sin shall not annoy. 
Proclaimed the wondrous Truth without the least 
alloy. 

86 Religion, education, both, combined — 

The one the heart's affections purify. 
The other elevates th' immortal mind, — 

Ennobled all the race, that never die. 

In our great land, with freedom's azure sky. 
The Bancrofts, Longfellows, the Jeflfersons, 

The Bryants, Whittiers all multiply. 
The Quinters, Talmages, the Washingtons, 
The ages that proceeded greatly overruns. 



34 THE minsiter's dream. 



87 But language fails to tell the story all, 

Religion, Education, Industry, 
All prospered by Intemperance's fall. 

Beyond degree ; and caused a harmony 

Of beauty, grandeur, and supremacy, 
In homes, in neighborhoods, in all the land. 

With dignity and yet simplicity. 
With earnestness, and yet with good command, 
The people were united, happy, heart and hand. 

88 To see the workings of these heavenly laws, 

The Queens and Monarchs came across the seas. 
Determined to detect, expose its flaws. 

The nation's guests, they were received with ease ; 

Invited to remain, go where they please. 
They did. And when they saw how great, how well 

The people of our nation were, they squeeze 
Her hand, go home, and under the great spell, 
"Its workings are 

NOT TELL." 



89 The poems, the orations, works of art, 
Inventions, progress scientific, draw 

Must I the curtains over, lest I start 

The nation. As the Time was closing, saw 
I all the people gathering, the law 

To re-enact forever, or repeal. 

There was no danger of the latter. Pshaw, 

The law worked only for the nation's weal. 

They now to future generations would it seal. 



THE minister's DREAM. 35 



90 The gathering was large. Canadians 

Absorbed had been by our great Nation's tread, 
And with them, too, the swarthy Mexicans, 

The continent, its millions thither led. 

All free ; no more half-clothed, no more half-fed. 
All gathered in the Park theatrical, 

That once before, " We'll drink no more," had said. 
The sentiments of all were, " No more, shall 
We help the cause that breeds and feeds the criminal." 

91 Three hundred millions of the human race 

Assembled in the amphitheater, 
( A Park of nature, I can't name the place ), 

Their sentiments most happily concur, 

Among the concourse vast none did demur. 
How fine the oratory, poetry. 

Describing changes great, how all things were, 
When Alcohol bore rule unhappily. 
Art, Nature made the words to all sound audibly. 

92 The Matron True presided. A respect 

Of none more worthy. And the crowd were, too, 
Quite worthy of her. For none could detect 

A single trace of Alcohol, in lieu. 

Of God's good blessings. And they now renew 
The principles of Temperance. '' We vow 

The Great Republic of the West shall true 
Be to the Temp'rance principles. Allow 
No changing of God's blessings good, no matter 
how." 



36 THE minister's dream. 



93 Without a voice dissenting, it was passed. 

Our songs of gladness shook the very skies! 
The work so well begun would always last. 

No more in all the land the pauper cries, 

But homes and friendships sweet and loving ties 
Abound. No more the maniac's strange yell, 

No more the wife's despairing, heart- rent sighs. 
Her features well, her happiness now tell. 
No more the debauchee, no more the gambling hell. 

94 Our Matron, then the benediction gave. 

And 0, what benedictions she received. 
As loud as stormy waters when they lave . 

The rock-bound coast ! For millions she relieved 

From want, and woe, from very hell reprieved. 
At home. And when we reached the next decade. 

The tolling of the bells said, " We're bereaved 
Of our good Mother." Nature's debt she paid, 
Advanced in years, and wept by all, in state she 
laid. 



95 The Nation gathered, once again, to weep. 

With mutual respect and sympathy. 
And I was called to give, while she asleep. 

Her unique life, her living eulogy. 

I thought I could with affability. 
I rose to speak, my feelings my words choke ! 

The flow'rs were animated poetry, 
The drawings all, of vices conquered, spoke. 
My feelings were so deeply stirred that I awoke. 



^THE MINISTER'S DREAM. 37 



96 What, what ! "Awoke ! '' Was this a passing dream ? 

What ! What ! ! '' Awoke I ! " Is Alcohol yet king ? 
Not a reality, but just so seem ! 

Does Bacchus rule with his infernal ring? 

To settle this I could not my mind bring. 
To ascertain, I hurried off to town, 

I passed twelve Bars where men their souls down 
fling. 
The papers said, "Unlearned, men of renown, 
Both, drink and murder, suicide, desert home, drown." 

97 It was a sad, a dread reality. 

"And must it always thus, kind Friends, remain ? 
Are there no Trues that will this slavery 

Destroy, that soul as well as body chain ? 

That this be done, let us daily train ! 
Why longer use it as the tempting bait 

Of demagogues ? Why longer clean hearts sttiin ? 
Why use what causes one his friends to hate ? 
Why use what gives to all some bestial kind of trait?" 

98 " With all your earnestness, O this truth preach. 

Ye Ministers of God, who feed the flock, 
In word and life, that you your hearers reach ! 

Portray how it will make them rage and mock. 

In using they their finer senses shock, 
That they in all things should be temperate, 

That they be careful where they get their stock, 
Use blessings only that their wants will sate. 
And what is wrong y prohibit, with abhorrence, hate^ 



38 THE minister's dream. 



99 " Ye Teachers of the Day and Sabbath School, 
In this great work we'll find our greatest aid 

In you, if you will heed the Golden Rule. — 
deeply on the tender mind be laid 
The principles of Temperance. Portrayed 

So well the evils, great, that you have seen 
Arise from blessings, by hands, sinful made. 

Impress their minds so well that naught will wean 

Them from the principles of living Hygiene." 

100 *' You rock the world in that almighty Crib, 

Fond Parents, Mothers most especially ; 
From it develop no abnormal rib. 

On you depend, What will the harvest be? 

Instill with nature's food, sobriety." 
" Ye editors, with pen omnipotent, 

Wield it to save the race. Your sympathy 
Give Truth." The lusty years will soon be spent. 
We'll all say, " Rather right be than be President." 



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